February 18, 2014 Dr. Fiona Couper, State Toxicologist fiona.couper@wsp.wa.

gov
Analysis of suspected impaired driving cases (DUI & DRE) received at the Washington State Toxicology
Laboratory (statewide data from blood results).



Table 1: Percentage of total driving cases confirming positive for THC (delta-9-THC)

Year Total # of impaired
driving cases received
for testing
Percentage of total
cases testing positive
for THC
2009 4,809 18.2 %
2010 5,012 19.4 %
2011 5,132 20.2 %
2012 5,298 18.6 %
2013 5,468 24.9 %




Table 2: Percentage of total driving cases confirming positive for carboxy-THC (metabolite of
THC, indicates marijuana use)

Year Total # of impaired
driving cases received
for testing
Percentage of total
cases testing positive
for carboxy-THC
2009 4,809 26.3 %
2010 5,012 28.2 %
2011 5,132 28.4 %
2012 5,298 28.6 %
2013 5,468 40.0 %




Notes on Tables 1 and 2:
- The cases in Table 1 are a subset of Table 2. For example, in 2013 there were 2,187 cases (40%) that
confirmed positive for carboxy-THC of which 1,362 cases (24.9%) also confirmed positive for THC
- In previous years, the reportable level for THC was 1 ng/mL and higher. In 2013, THC was only
reported at concentrations of 2 ng/mL and higher
- Although there have been internal procedural changes with respect to drug testing, the observed
increase is still apparent and similar after the data is normalized (i.e. after accounting for changes)
- Typically, one quarter of those cases confirming positive for THC are aged under 21 years
- Marijuana is the most frequently detected drug in those aged under 21 years (this includes alcohol)




February 18, 2014 Dr. Fiona Couper, State Toxicologist fiona.couper@wsp.wa.gov
Graph 1: Data from Tables 1 and 2 shown in graphical form


Solid (red) line Percentage of impaired driving cases positive for carboxy-THC
Dashed (blue) line Percentage of impaired driving cases positive for delta-9-THC



Table 3: Number of THC positive driving cases at or above the per se 5 ng/mL

Year # of impaired driving
cases positive for
delta9-THC
# of these cases
where THC is BELOW
5 ng/mL
# (%) of these cases
where THC is 5 ng/mL or
higher
2011 1,036 530 506 (49%)
2012 988 378 610 (62%)
2013 1,362 642 720 (53%)




Table 4: Summary of THC blood concentrations from driving cases

Year # cases positive
for delta9-THC
THC concentration
Range
Average THC
concentration
Median THC
concentration
2011 1,036 1 - 58 ng/mL 6.4 ng/mL 4.8 ng/mL
2012 988 1 - 90 ng/mL 8.0 ng/mL 6.2 ng/mL
2013 1,362 2 - 77 ng/mL 7.2 ng/mL 5.2 ng/mL



0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Marijuana-related driving cases (%)